According to the United Nations, Iraq is struggling with one of the largest internally displaced populations in the world where an estimated 1.8 million people are displaced at the hands of the extremist insurgent group known as ISIS (Da’esh). The UN has declared this humanitarian crisis as a ‘level three emergency’ - the highest possible emergency level.

SITUATION UPDATE

• Over 1.8 million people are displaced within Iraq
• The current threat of ISIS (Daesh), Islamic State in the north means that this flow of people from the north to the south is unlikely to slow in the near future
• There are currently approximately 500,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Southern Iraq
• IDPs in the south of Iraq are largely clustered in Mawakib on the road from Najaf to Karbala, and on the road from Najaf to various southern cities
• Many IDPs in this region are currently without adequate housing, sheltering in unfinished buildings and inadequate tents.
• This also poses serious concerns surrounding communicable diseases, as a result of the limited access to clean water and sanitation

Approximately 200,000 IDPs in the region, or 30,000 families, are at risk of becoming homeless again in November 2014, when the temporary shelters they have taken refuge in will be occupied once again for the commemoration of Arba’een.

PLEASE DONATE - IRAQ RELIEF FUND - SHORT TERM HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

According to the United Nations, Iraq is struggling with one of the largest internally displaced populations in the world where an estimated 1.8 million people are displaced at the hands of the extremist insurgent group known as ISIS (Da’esh). The UN has declared this humanitarian crisis as a ‘level three emergency’ - the highest possible emergency level.

This Muharram, please “Welcome a Family” who is displaced and has found refuge in Najaf, Karbala and the south of Iraq by gifting them with a ‘Home Comfort Kit’. Our goal is to raise $1 million USD to provide kits to 1,000 families. Each kit costs $1,000 and includes: 

• Winter Aid Packs (blankets, pillows, heaters, clean water)
• Hygiene Kits (towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, dishwashing and laundry detergent, Feminine hygiene products, soap and baby diapers
• Emergency shelters and transitional housing
• Food ration
• Water and sanitation services and systems
• Emergency educational facilities
• Emergency healthcare facilities

We urge Jamaat leaders, youth groups, schools, madrasahs, seniors and others to unite with our cause this Muharram and Safar and fundraise for Iraq.

As we enter the month of Muharram, we remember the oppression and tragedies that Imam Husayn (as), his family and companions endured at the hands of the tyrants. With the calling of Imam Hussain (as):   “Is there anyone who will come to assist us? Is there anyone who will respond to our call for aid?”  The internally displaced people of Iraq deserve to fall into the category of this calling, after facing a continued vicious campaign by ISIS of execution, torture, pillaging of their homes and places of worship, which is also stated by the Human Rights Watch. Moreover Al Monitor Iraq Pulse go on to describe their livelihoods been taken away and destroyed especially concerning the rural farmers who were the driving force of Iraq’s agricultural sector.

Thank you for your support.